US10391368B2

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US10391368B2
Application number: US16/046,789
Authority: US
Inventors: Richard L. Cleghorn; Nick Frame; Darryl C. Galvan
Original assignee: Acushnet Co
Current assignee: Acushnet Co
Priority date: 2015-12-22
Filing date: 2018-07-26
Publication date: 2019-08-27
Anticipated expiration: 2035-12-22
Also published as: US20180326265A1; US20170173413A1; US10035051B2

Abstract

A golf club head having an exterior surface opposite the hollow golf club interior, the body having a center of gravity, wherein the body comprises an elongate weight receptacle, a weight retainer located in the weight receptacle, wherein the weight receptacle comprises a plurality of weight mounts, wherein the weight retainer is configured to slide along the weight receptacle between each of the plurality of weight mounts when the weight retainer is unlocked, and wherein the weight retainer is configured to reside in any of the plurality of weight mounts when the weight retainer is locked, and wherein the weight receptacle comprises a weight receptacle installation feature configured to receive the weight retainer, wherein the weight receptacle installation feature is located between two of the plurality of weight mounts, wherein the two of the plurality of weight mounts are located adjacent one another.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The current application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/365,471, GOLF CLUB WITH MOVEABLE WEIGHT, to Cleghorn et al., filed Nov. 30, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,035,051, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/282,854, GOLF CLUB WITH MOVABLE WEIGHT, to Frame et al., filed Sep. 30, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,975,019, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/979,151, GOLF CLUB HAVING REMOVABLE WEIGHT, to Frame et al., filed on Dec. 22, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,744,415, as well as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/257,692, GOLF CLUB WITH MOVABLE WEIGHT, to Cleghorn et al., filed on Sep. 6, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,914,028, the disclosure of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This present technology generally relates to systems, devices, and methods related to golf clubs, and more specifically to golf club heads having movable weights.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED TECHNOLOGY

The trend of lengthening golf courses to increase their difficulty has resulted in a high percentage of amateur golfers constantly searching for ways to achieve more distance from their golf shots. The golf industry has responded by providing golf clubs specifically designed with distance and accuracy in mind. The size of wood-type golf club heads has generally been increased while multi-material construction and reduced wall thicknesses have been included to provide more mass available for selective placement through the head. The discretionary mass placement has allowed the club to possess a higher moment of inertia (MOI), which translates to a greater ability to resist twisting during off-center ball impacts and less of a distance penalty for those off-center ball impacts. Additionally, discretionary mass placement has allowed the club to more optimally locate the center of gravity (CG) of the golf club head, and sometimes make that CG location adjustable through the use of adjustable and/or moveable weights.

Various methods are used to selectively locate mass throughout golf club heads, including thickening portions of the body casting itself or strategically adding separate weight elements during the manufacture of the club head. An example, shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,186,190, discloses a golf club head comprising a number of moveable weights attached to the body of the club head. The club head includes a number of threaded ports into which the moveable weights are screwed. Though the mass characteristics of the golf club may be manipulated by rearranging the moveable weights, the cylindrical shape of the weights and the receiving features within the golf club body necessarily moves a significant portion of the mass toward the center of the club head, which may not maximize the peripheral weight of the club head or the MOI.

Alternative approaches for selectively locating mass in a club head utilize composite multi-material structures. These composite structures utilize two, three, or more materials that have different physical properties including different densities. An example of this type of composite club head is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,720,674. The club head comprises an arcuate portion of high-density material bonded to a recess in the back-skirt. Because composite materials like those found in the club head must be bonded together, for example by welding, swaging, or using bonding agents such as epoxy, they may be subject to delamination or corrosion over time. This component delamination or corrosion results in decreased performance in the golf club head and can lead to club head failure.

One aspect of the present technology is the realization that position of weight elements in existing golf club head designs are not easily adjustable. Thus, there exists a need for an improved golf club head.

SUMMARY

The systems, methods, and devices described herein have innovative aspects, no single one of which is indispensable or solely responsible for their desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of the claims, some of the advantageous features will now be summarized.

Though many methods of optimizing the mass properties of golf club heads exist, there remains a need in the art for a golf club head comprising at least one easily and quickly movable weight having a secure attachment. The present invention is directed to an improved weighting system for golf clubs that increases the club's playability.

The present technology is directed to a golf club head incorporating a position adjustable weight system. The position adjustable weight system provides the ability to fine tune the performance characteristics of the golf club via manipulation of the position of an adjustable weight, thereby manipulating the location of the center of gravity and the moment of inertia of the golf club to suit the golfer's preference and increase the club's playability.

One non-limiting embodiment of the present technology includes a golf club head, including: a body having a face, a sole, a crown, and a skirt joining the face, sole, and crown; a hollow golf club interior within the body; the body having an exterior surface opposite the hollow golf club interior; the body having a center of gravity; wherein the body comprises an elongate weight receptacle; a weight retainer located in the weight receptacle; wherein the weight receptacle comprises a plurality of weight mounts; wherein each of the plurality of weight mounts comprises a recess, and wherein the recess comprises a locking wall; wherein the weight retainer is configured to slide along the weight receptacle between each of the plurality of weight mounts when the weight retainer is unlocked, and wherein the weight retainer is configured to reside in any of the plurality of weight mounts when the weight retainer is locked; wherein the weight receptacle comprises a pair of locking rails running along each side of the weight receptacle and a channel formed between the locking rails; wherein the pair of locking rails comprise thick portions and thin portions, the thin portions located adjacent the recesses, and wherein the locking walls are formed between the thin portions and the thick portions; and wherein the weight receptacle comprises a weight receptacle installation feature configured to receive the weight retainer, wherein the weight receptacle installation feature comprises recesses formed in each of the pair of locking rails.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the weight receptacle comprises a weight port configured to receive a weight member, the weight port formed in a floor of the weight receptacle adjacent the hollow golf club interior

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the recesses of the weight receptacle installation feature comprise a central protrusion, and wherein the weight retainer comprises a weight retainer installation feature configured to clear the central protrusion when installing the weight retainer in the weight receptacle.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the weight receptacle installation feature is located between two of the plurality of weight mounts, wherein the two of the plurality of weight mounts are located adjacent one another.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the weight retainer comprises a rotating portion and a non-rotating portion, the rotating portion rotatably affixed to the non-rotating portion, and wherein rotating less than 100 degrees of rotation of the rotating portion in a first direction relative to the non-rotating portion locks the weight retainer, and wherein less than 100 degrees of rotation of the rotating portion in a second direction relative to the non-rotating portion unlocks the weight retainer.

One non-limiting embodiment of the present technology includes a golf club head, including: a body having a face, a sole, a crown, and a skirt joining the face, sole, and crown; a hollow golf club interior within the body; the body having an exterior surface opposite the hollow golf club interior; the body having a center of gravity; wherein the body comprises an elongate weight receptacle; a weight retainer located in the weight receptacle; wherein the weight receptacle comprises a plurality of weight mounts; wherein each of the plurality of weight mounts comprises a recess, and wherein the recess comprises a locking wall; wherein the weight retainer is configured to slide along the weight receptacle between each of the plurality of weight mounts when the weight retainer is unlocked, and wherein the weight retainer is configured to reside in any of the plurality of weight mounts when the weight retainer is locked; wherein the weight receptacle comprises a pair of locking rails running along each side of the weight receptacle and a channel formed between the locking rails; wherein the pair of locking rails comprise thick portions and thin portions, the thin portions located adjacent the recesses, and wherein the locking walls are formed between the thin portions and the thick portions; and wherein the weight receptacle comprises a weight receptacle installation feature configured to receive the weight retainer, wherein the weight receptacle installation feature comprises a recess formed in one of the pair of locking rails.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the recess of the weight receptacle installation feature comprises a central protrusion, and wherein the weight retainer comprises a weight retainer installation feature configured to clear the central protrusion when installing the weight retainer in the weight receptacle.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the weight receptacle installation feature comprises recesses formed in each of the pair of locking rails.

One non-limiting embodiment of the present technology includes a golf club head, including: a body having a face, a sole, a crown, and a skirt joining the face, sole, and crown; a hollow golf club interior within the body; the body having an exterior surface opposite the hollow golf club interior; the body having a center of gravity; wherein the body comprises an elongate weight receptacle; a weight retainer located in the weight receptacle; wherein the weight receptacle comprises a plurality of weight mounts; wherein the weight retainer is configured to slide along the weight receptacle between each of the plurality of weight mounts when the weight retainer is unlocked, and wherein the weight retainer is configured to reside in any of the plurality of weight mounts when the weight retainer is locked; and wherein the weight receptacle comprises a weight receptacle installation feature configured to receive the weight retainer, wherein the weight receptacle installation feature is located between two of the plurality of weight mounts, wherein the two of the plurality of weight mounts are located adjacent one another.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the recesses of the weight receptacle installation feature comprises a central protrusion, and wherein the weight retainer comprises a weight retainer installation feature configured to clear the central protrusion when installing the weight retainer in the weight receptacle.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology each of the plurality of weight mounts comprises a recess, and wherein the recess comprises a locking wall.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the weight receptacle comprises a pair of locking rails running along each side of the weight receptacle and a channel formed between the locking rails, wherein the pair of locking rails comprise thick portions and thin portions, the thin portions located adjacent the recesses, and wherein the locking walls are formed between the thin portions and the thick portions.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the weight receptacle installation feature comprises a recess formed in one of the pair of locking rails.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith. The illustrated embodiments, however, are merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a golf club head.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the bottom of the golf club head ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the bottom of the golf club head including a plurality of weight members received in weight mounts.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the bottom of an additional embodiment of the golf club head including a plurality of weight members received in weight mounts.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a weight retainer locked in a weight mount.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the weight mount ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the weight retainer ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of the weight retainer ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a weight retainer and spring.

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a weight mount.

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of an additional embodiment of a weight mount.

FIG. 12 illustrates an additional perspective view the weight mount ofFIG. 11.

FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of an additional embodiment of a weight retainer.

FIG. 14 illustrates a top view of the weight retainer ofFIG. 13 in an unlocked position inside the weight mount ofFIG. 11.

FIG. 15 illustrates a top view of the weight retainer ofFIG. 13 in a locked position inside the weight mount ofFIG. 11.

FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a spring.

FIG. 17 illustrates a side view of the spring ofFIG. 16.

FIG. 18 illustrates a perspective view of additional embodiments of a weight member retained by a weight retainer in a weight mount.

FIG. 19 illustrates a side view of the weight member, weight retainer, and weight mount illustrated inFIG. 18.

FIG. 20 illustrates a perspective view of additional embodiments of a weight member, weight retainer, and weight mount.

FIG. 21 illustrates a side view of the weight member, weight retainer, and weight mount ofFIG. 20.

FIG. 22 illustrates a perspective view of the weight member and weight retainer ofFIG. 20.

FIG. 23 illustrates a perspective view of the weight mount ofFIG. 20.

FIG. 24 illustrates an external perspective view of additional embodiments of a weight retainer locked in a weight mount.

FIG. 25 illustrates an internal perspective view of the weight retainer and weight mount ofFIG. 24.

FIG. 26 illustrates a perspective view of the weight retainer ofFIG. 24.

FIG. 27 illustrates an internal perspective view of the weight mount ofFIG. 24.

FIG. 28 illustrates an external top view of the weight mount ofFIG. 24.

FIG. 29 illustrates a side view of the weight retainer ofFIG. 24.

FIG. 30 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the weight retainer locked in the weight mount ofFIG. 24.

FIG. 31 illustrates a top view of an additional embodiment of a weight member locked in a weight mount.

FIG. 32 illustrates a top view of an additional embodiment of a weight member locked in a weight mount.

FIG. 33 illustrates an external perspective view of an additional embodiment of a weight retainer and weight member locked in a weight mount.

FIG. 34 illustrates a perspective view of the weight retainer and weight member ofFIG. 33.

FIG. 35 illustrates a perspective view of the weight member ofFIG. 34.

FIG. 36 illustrates a perspective view of the weight retainer ofFIG. 34.

FIG. 37 illustrates a perspective view of the weight mount ofFIG. 33.

FIG. 38 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a golf club head with a weight receptacle.

FIG. 39 illustrates a perspective view of an additional embodiment of a golf club head with a weight receptacle.

FIG. 40 illustrates an additional embodiment of a golf club head.

FIG. 41 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the golf club head and weight receptacle ofFIG. 40.

FIG. 42 illustrates an additional cross-sectional view of the golf club head and weight receptacle ofFIG. 40.

FIG. 43 illustrates one embodiment of an unlocked weight retainer in weight mount in a weight receptacle.

FIG. 44 illustrates a perspective view of the weight retainer ofFIG. 43.

FIG. 45 illustrates an additional perspective view of the weight retainer ofFIG. 43.

FIG. 46 illustrates an exploded view of the weight retainer ofFIG. 43.

FIG. 47 illustrates an inverted exploded view of the weight retainer ofFIG. 43.

FIG. 48 illustrates a perspective view of an additional embodiment of a weight retainer.

FIG. 49 illustrates a perspective view of the underside of the weight retainer ofFIG. 48.

FIG. 50 illustrates a perspective view of an additional embodiment of a weight receptacle.

FIG. 51 illustrates a perspective view of the weight retainer ofFIG. 48 locked in the weight receptacle ofFIG. 50.

FIG. 52 illustrates a top view of the weight retainer and weight receptacle ofFIG. 51.

FIG. 53 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the weight retainer and weight receptacle ofFIG. 51.

FIG. 54 illustrates an additional perspective view of the weight retainer and weight receptacle ofFIG. 51.

FIG. 55 illustrates a perspective view of an additional embodiment of aweight retainer2122.

FIG. 56 illustrates an end view of the weigh retainer locked in an additional embodiment of a weight receptacle.

FIG. 57 illustrates a perspective view of an additional embodiment of a weight retainer.

FIG. 58 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of an additional embodiment of a weight receptacle.

FIG. 59 illustrates an end view of the weight retainer ofFIG. 57 locked in the weight receptacle ofFIG. 58.

FIG. 60 illustrates a perspective view of an additional embodiment of a golf club head.

FIG. 61 illustrates thegolf club head1110 ofFIG. 60 including a weight retainer and a weight member.

FIG. 62 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the golf club head ofFIG. 61.

FIG. 63 illustrates a perspective view of the weight retainer ofFIG. 61.

FIG. 64 illustrates an additional perspective view of the weight retainer ofFIG. 61.

FIG. 65 illustrates a detail view of a portion of the weight receptacle of the golf club head ofFIG. 60.

FIG. 66 illustrates a perspective view of an additional embodiment of a golf club head.

FIG. 67 illustrates a bottom view of the golf club head ofFIG. 66.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the present disclosure. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and form part of this disclosure. For example, a system or device may be implemented or a method may be practiced using any number of the aspects set forth herein. In addition, such a system or device may be implemented or such a method may be practiced using other structure, functionality, or structure and functionality in addition to or other than one or more of the aspects set forth herein. Alterations and further modifications of inventive features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.

Other than in the operating examples, or unless otherwise expressly specified, all of the numerical ranges, amounts, values and percentages such as those for amounts of materials, moments of inertias, center of gravity locations, loft and draft angles, and others in the following portion of the specification may be read as if prefaced by the word “about” even though the term “about” may not expressly appear with the value, amount, or range. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. Furthermore, when numerical ranges of varying scope are set forth herein, it is contemplated that any combination of these values inclusive of the recited values may be used.

In describing the present technology, the following terminology may have been used: The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to an item includes reference to one or more items. The term “plurality” refers to two or more of an item. The term “substantially” means that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide. A plurality of items may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same lists solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. Furthermore, where the terms “and” and “or” are used in conjunction with a list of items, they are to be interpreted broadly, in that any one or more of the listed items may be used alone or in combination with other listed items. The term “alternatively” refers to a selection of one of two or more alternatives, and is not intended to limit the selection of only those listed alternative or to only one of the listed alternatives at a time, unless the context clearly indicated otherwise.

Features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled “Detailed Description” one will understand how the illustrated features serve to explain certain principles of the present disclosure.

The golf club head of the present invention is preferably hollow, such as a metal wood type golf club head, but may include any club head type, such as iron-type club heads. The golf club head generally includes a hosel, a striking face, a crown, a sole, and a skirt that combine to define a hollow interior cavity.

The inventive golf club head also has a low profiled weight member disposed on a portion of the club head, and preferably on the crown, sole and/or skirt of the golf club head. The embodiments described below are generally illustrated so that the weight member is attached at least partially to the sole for convenience.FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of agolf club head10.FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the bottom of thegolf club head10 ofFIG. 1.Club head10 includes a sole12, acrown14, astriking face16, askirt18, and ahosel20.Sole12 generally provides the lower surface ofgolf club head10 when the club head is placed in an address position.FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the bottom of thegolf club head10 including a plurality ofweight members21 received in weight mounts24.FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the bottom of an additional embodiment of thegolf club head10 including a plurality ofweight members21 received in weight mounts24.

The embodiments described herein are generally illustrated so that the weight members are attached at least partially to the sole for convenience. However, as will be appreciated by a person having ordinary skill, weight mounts, weight members, and weight retainers having the same structures as those described may be located on any portion of the golf club head, such as the crown and/or skirt. Additionally, weight mounts are illustrated separate from the golf club head for convenience. However, as will be appreciated by a person having ordinary skill, weight mounts described herein are intended to be either permanently affixed to the golf club head or formed integrally with the golf club head.

The inventivegolf club head10 includesremovable weight members21 configured to alter the location of the center of gravity (C.G.) of thegolf club head10 when theweight members21 are added, removed, and/or exchanged withweight members21 of different weight. Theweight members21 are retained in weight mounts24, configured to couple theweight members21 to thegolf club head10. Thegolf club head10 preferably includes a plurality of weight mounts24. In some embodiments, the C.G. can be manipulated by exchanging one ormore weight members21 on thegolf club head10 with anotherweight member21 on thegolf club head10. In other embodiments, asingle weight member21 may be transferred from oneweight mount24 to anotherweight mount24. In additional embodiments, one ormore weight members21 may be exchanged with adifferent weight member21 having a different mass.

It is generally preferable to have the capability of adjusting the C.G. quickly and easily. Several inventive embodiments of weight members and weight mounts are described herein which allow the user to remove and install weight members from weight mounts quickly and easily. Additionally, the weight mounts must retain the weight members to the golf club head when the golf club head strikes a golf ball, without causing any rattling, vibration, or loosening of the weight member relative to the golf club head. Traditionally, weight members are retained by a combination of male and female threads. The weight member is rotated relative to the weight mount a plurality of turns until the weight member bottoms out against a portion of the golf club head, and the threads begin to bind as the male threads are loaded against the female threads, locking the weight member in place. This however takes multiple rotations of the weight member relative to the golf club head. Additionally, threads add the possibility of cross threading, which can destroy the ability to either remove or install the weight member into the weight mount. The weight members, weight mounts, and weight retainers described herein, are configured to be locked to the golf club head with one rotation or less of the weight retainer, in other words, less than or equal to 360 degrees, relative to the weight mount of the golf club head, and more preferably, with 180 degrees or less, and most preferably with 90 degrees or less.

Several embodiments herein utilize either a spring force of some kind or a binding to lock the weight member relative to the weight mount. Some of the embodiments utilize a spring exerting a force which is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the weight member to lock the weight member in place. Other embodiments utilize a spring exerting a force which is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the weight retainer to lock the weight member in place.

Both weight members and weight retainers are discussed herein. In some embodiments, the weight members are generally utilized to change the overall weight of the golf club head, move the CG of the golf club head, or alter the MOI of the golf club head. The weight retainers are configured to lock the weight members into the weight mounts of the golf club head. In some embodiments, the weight retainer can be affixed to or formed integrally with the weight member. In other embodiments, the weight retainer may be separate from the weight member. The term weight retainer, when used herein, can be used to describe both weight retainers formed and operating separately from a weight member to retain the weight member, as well as weight members formed integrally with weight retainers, the latter being the default definition. The description and claims will refer to a weight member particularly if the particular embodiment being described includes a weight member as a separate piece from the weight retainer.

Theweight retainer122 can include at least oneengagement feature140 configured to engage thelocking feature130 of the weight mount and lock theweight retainer122 to the golf club head. As illustrated inFIGS. 7 and 8, theengagement feature140 can include adeflectable arm142 and aprotrusion144. Thedeflectable arm142 is configured so that theprotrusion144 can deflect in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of theweight retainer122. Theprotrusion144 is configured to engage thelocking feature130 of the weight mount. Theprotrusion144 can be substantially spherical in shape as illustrated inFIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of an additional embodiment of aweight mount324.FIG. 12 illustrates an additional perspective view theweight mount324 ofFIG. 11.FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of an additional embodiment of aweight retainer322.FIG. 14 illustrates a top view of theweight retainer322 ofFIG. 13 in an unlocked position inside theweight mount324 ofFIG. 11.FIG. 15 illustrates a top view of theweight retainer322 ofFIG. 13 in a locked position inside theweight mount324 ofFIG. 11. FIG.16 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of aspring350.FIG. 17 illustrates a side view of thespring350 ofFIG. 16.

Theweight mount324 includes aceiling370 with anaperture360 formed through it. Theaperture360 is configured to receive theweight retainer322. Theweight mount324 includes at least onelocking feature330. Thelocking feature330 can be a protrusion extending from the inside of theceiling370 as illustrated inFIGS. 11 and 12. Theprotrusion330 can include atransition portion332 at the end angled relative to the axis of rotation of theweight retainer322. Theweight retainer322 can include at least oneengagement feature340 configured to engage thelocking feature330 of theweight mount324. Theengagement feature340 can be adetent340 as illustrated inFIG. 13. Thedetent340 can also be tapered to complement thetransition portion332 of theprotrusion330. Additionally, theprotrusion330 anddetent340 can be configured for a wedge fit to minimize rattling and vibration. Aspring350, such as the one illustrated inFIGS. 16 and 17, can be located inside theweight mount324, and configured to force theweight retainer322 away from the club head. Theweight mount324 is illustrated without a floor for convenience, but the spring would preferably be located against the floor of theweight mount324, which would be opposite theceiling370. In some embodiments, theceiling370 can be flush with an external surface of the golf club head such as the sole. In other embodiments, theceiling370 may be raised away from the external surface of the golf club head. In yet another embodiment, theceiling370 may be recessed into the golf club head relative to the external surface.

Theweight retainer322 could be inserted into theweight mount324 through theaperture360 in an unlocked position as illustrated inFIG. 14. Then theweight retainer322 can be rotated relative to theweight mount324. As theweight retainer322 contacts thetransition portion332 of theprotrusion330, theprotrusion330 forces theweight retainer322 towards the golf club head, against thespring350, until theweight retainer322 reaches a locked position, as illustrated inFIG. 15, where theprotrusion330 can engage theengagement feature340 of the weight retainer320, allowing theweight retainer322 to move away from the golf club head as theprotrusion330 enters thedetent340, and the spring forces theweight retainer322 into theceiling370, locking theweight retainer322 in place.

Thespring350 illustrated inFIGS. 16 and 17 is different than a conventional compression spring, such as the one illustrated inFIG. 9. Thespring350 is at least partially dome shaped and may include channels formed therein as illustrated inFIGS. 16 and 17. The dome portion can deform as force is applied by theweight retainer322, thespring350 applying a force against theweight retainer322.

FIG. 18 illustrates a perspective view of additional embodiments of aweight member421 retained by aweight retainer422 in aweight mount424.FIG. 19 illustrates a side view of theweight member421,weight retainer422, andweight mount424 illustrated inFIG. 18. In this embodiment, theweight member421 can be a separate component from theweight retainer422 or they could be affixed to one another. The weight mount includes alocking feature430 configured to lock theweight retainer422 in place. As illustrated inFIGS. 18 and 19, the locking feature can be aslot430 configured to receive a portion of theweight retainer422. Theslot430 is formed into anouter wall429 of theweight mount424.

The weight retainer can include at least oneengagement feature440 configured to engage thelocking feature430 of theweight mount424 and lock theweight retainer422 to theweight mount424. As illustrated inFIGS. 18 and 19, theengagement feature440 can include adeflectable arm442 and aprotrusion444. Thedeflectable arm442 is configured to deflect so that theprotrusion444 can move in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of theweight retainer422. Theprotrusion444 is configured to engage thelocking feature430 of the weight mount.

Theslot430 can include anentry portion431, atransition portion432, and adetent433. Theslot430 is configured to deflect thedeflectable arm442 of theweight retainer424 as theweight retainer422 is rotated relative to theweight mount424. Theentry portion431 is configured to receive theengagement feature440 of theweight retainer422 as theweight retainer422 is installed into the golf club head. Thetransition portion432, is configured to deflect thedeflectable arm442 of theweight retainer422 as theweight retainer422 is rotated. Thedetent433 is configured to receive theprotrusion444 of theengagement feature440. As illustrated inFIGS. 18 and 19, thetransition portion432 is angled such that the distance of theslot430 from the outer edge of theweight mount424, in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of theweight retainer422, increases along its length from theentry portion431 to thedetent433. As theweight retainer424 is rotated in a first direction, thedeflectable arm442 is loaded and deflected. Then the detent decreases the distance of theslot430 from the outer edge of theweight mount424. As theprotrusion444 enters thedetent433, thedeflectable arm442 forces theprotrusion444 into thedetent433, locking theweight retainer424 and thusly theweight member422 in place.

FIG. 20 illustrates a perspective view of additional embodiments of aweight member521,weight retainer522, andweight mount524.FIG. 21 illustrates a side view of theweight member521,weight retainer522, andweight mount524 ofFIG. 20.FIG. 22 illustrates a perspective view of theweight member521 andweight retainer522 ofFIG. 20.FIG. 23 illustrates a perspective view of theweight mount524 ofFIG. 20. In this embodiment, rather than integrating a deflectable arm into the weight retainer as illustrated in other embodiments, thedeflectable arm532 is integrated into theweight mount524. The weight retainer includes anengagement feature540 configured to engage thelocking feature530 of theweight mount524 and lock theweight retainer522 to theweight mount524. Theengagement feature540 can be aramp540 including anentry portion541, atransition portion542, and adetent543. Theweight mount524 includes alocking feature530 configured to engage theengagement feature540 of theweight retainer522. Thelocking feature530 can include adeflectable arm532 and aprotrusion534. As theweight member521 andweight retainer522 are rotated in a first direction, the locking feature enters theentry portion541 of theramp540, and then thedeflectable arm532 begins to deflect as theprotrusion534 is forced away from the golf club head and towards theweight member521 by the incline of thetransition portion542 of theramp540, until theprotrusion534 reaches the end of thetransition portion542 and is forced into thedetent543 by the spring force of thedeflectable arm532, as illustrated inFIGS. 20 and 21, locking theweight retainer522 andweight member521 in place.

FIG. 24 illustrates an external perspective view of additional embodiments of aweight retainer622 locked in aweight mount624.FIG. 25 illustrates an internal perspective view of theweight retainer622 andweight mount624 ofFIG. 24.FIG. 26 illustrates a perspective view of theweight retainer622 ofFIG. 24.FIG. 27 illustrates an internal perspective view of theweight mount624 ofFIG. 24.FIG. 28 illustrates an external top view of theweight mount624 ofFIG. 24.FIG. 29 illustrates a side view of theweight retainer622 ofFIG. 24.FIG. 30 illustrates a cross-sectional view of theweight retainer622 locked in theweight mount624 ofFIG. 24. Theweight retainer622 as illustrated herein, can integrally include a weight member.

Theweight retainer622 andweight mount624 ofFIGS. 24 through 30 share several similarities with theweight retainer522 andweight mount524 ofFIGS. 20 through 23. Theweight retainer622 includes at least oneengagement feature640. Theengagement feature640 can be aramp640 as illustrated inFIG. 26. Theramp640 can include anentry portion641, atransition portion642, and adetent643.

Theweight mount624 includes at least onelocking feature630 configured to engage theengagement feature640 of theweight retainer622 and lock theweight retainer622 to theweight mount624. Thelocking feature630 includesdeflectable arm632 and aprotrusion634. Theprotrusion634 extends inward towards the axis of rotation of theweigh retainer622 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation as opposed to theprotrusion532 ofFIGS. 20-23, which extends towards the club head in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation. Similar to thedeflectable arm532 ofFIGS. 20-23, thedeflectable arm632 deflects allowing theprotrusion634 to move in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation.

Theentry portion641 of theramp640 allows for theprotrusion634 to enter thetransition portion642 of theramp640. As theweight retainer622 is rotated in a first direction, theprotrusion634 rides up thetransition portion642 of the ramp, deflecting thedeflectable arm632 until the protrusion reaches the end of thetransition portion642 and snaps into thedetent643, locking theweight retainer624 in place. In some embodiments, theweight mount624 includes anouter surface612 configured to flushly integrate into an external surface of the golf club head, such as the sole12, as illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4. In some embodiments, and as illustrated inFIGS. 24-30, thelocking feature630 of theweigh mount624 is all formed substantially planar, substantially minimizing manufacturing costs. Additionally, theweight mount624, along with other weight mounts described herein, are shown separate from a golf club head for convenience, but are configured to integrate into the golf club head, preferably mounting substantially flush with an external surface of the golf club head, such as the sole.

In additional embodiments, not illustrated, theweight retainer622 could include a slot similar to the one illustrated inFIG. 6, however it is formed in the weight retainer instead of the weight mount. Thelocking feature630, as illustrated or substantially similar, could then deflect in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the weight retainer, and the protrusion could pop into the detent, locking the weight retainer to the weight mount.

FIG. 31 illustrates a top view of an additional embodiment of aweight member721 locked in aweight mount724. Theweight mount724 is similar to the weight mount ofFIGS. 11 and 12, as it has anaperture760 and aninner wall728. However, theinner wall728 of theweight mount724 varies in distance from the axis of rotation of theweight member721. Theweight member721 is inserted through the aperture into theweight mount724, and then rotated in a first direction until theweight member721 contacts theinner wall728 of theweight mount724, binding theweight member721 and locking it in place. Additionally, theceiling770 can prevent theweight member721 from dislodging from theweight mount724.

FIG. 32 illustrates a top view of an additional embodiment of aweight member821 locked in a weight mount824. The weight mount824 includes anaperture860 configured to receive theweight member821. The weight member is inserted through theaperture860 and rotated in a first direction until it binds with theinner wall828 of the weigh mount824, locking theweight member821 in place. Additionally, theceiling870 can prevent theweight member821 from dislodging from the weight mount824.

FIG. 33 illustrates an external perspective view of an additional embodiment of aweight retainer922 andweight member921 locked in aweight mount924.FIG. 34 illustrates a perspective view of theweight retainer922 andweight member921 ofFIG. 33.FIG. 35 illustrates a perspective view of theweight member921 ofFIG. 34.FIG. 36 illustrates a perspective view of theweight retainer922 ofFIG. 34.FIG. 37 illustrates a perspective view of theweight mount924 ofFIG. 33.

The inventive golf club heads described below generally include moveable weight retainers, the movable weight retainers configured to be selectively locked into a plurality of positions in order to manipulate the location of the center of gravity of the golf club head to better suit a golfer's swing characteristics and optimize ball flight. The embodiments described herein are generally illustrated so that the weight retainer is attached at least partially to the sole for convenience, but one skilled in the art will appreciate that the weight retainer could be attached to other portions of the golf club head, which may include for example, the crown, the skirt, etc.

FIG. 38 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of agolf club head1010 with aweight receptacle1025.FIG. 39 illustrates a perspective view of an additional embodiment of agolf club head1010 with aweight receptacle1025. The golf club heads1010 includeweight receptacles1025 configured to receive and retain aweight retainer622 similar to the one illustrated inFIGS. 24-30. Theweight receptacle1025 is configured to selectively lock a weight retainer in one of a plurality of weight mounts1024, depending on where the golfer would prefer the weight retainer to be located within theweight receptacle1025. Theweight receptacle1025 is configured to enable a golfer to alter the location of the CG of thegolf club head1010 by manipulating the location of the weight retainer within theweight receptacle1025.

Eachweight receptacle1025 includes a plurality of weight mounts1024. Eachweight mount1024 within the weight receptacle is structured similar to theweight mount624 illustrated inFIGS. 24-30. Eachweight mount1024 includes a locking feature1030 configured to engage the engagement feature of the weight retainer and lock the weight retainer to theweight mount1024. Theweight receptacle1025 is structured such that when the weight retainer is rotated into an unlocked position, it can slide along the weight receptacle to anotherweight mount1024, and be subsequently locked into place. In some embodiments, as illustrated inFIGS. 38 and 39, the locking features1030 can include a plurality of deflectable arms1032 withprotrusions1034 configured to engage the engagement feature of the weight retainer.

rails

1181,1182.

The locking rails1181,1182 include a plurality ofrecesses1185 located adjacent eachweight mount1124, configured to aid in locking theweight retainer1122 in place in theweight receptacle1125. The locking recesses1185 are regions of the locking rails1181,1182 which have reduced thickness, creatingthin portions1183 andthick portions1184 of the locking rails1181,1182. The locking recesses1185 are configured to receive a portion of theweight retainer1122 when theweight retainer1122 is in a locked position. The locking recesses1185 create alocking wall1186 which theweight retainer1122 abuts when locked into theweight mount1124.

FIG. 43 illustrates one embodiment of anunlocked weight retainer1122 inweight mount1124 in aweight receptacle1125. For ease of illustration theweight receptacle1125 is shown separate from agolf club head1110.FIG. 44 illustrates a perspective view of theweight retainer1122 ofFIG. 43.FIG. 45 illustrates an additional perspective view of theweight retainer1122 ofFIG. 43.FIG. 46 illustrates an exploded view of theweight retainer1122 ofFIG. 43.FIG. 47 illustrates an inverted exploded view of theweight retainer1122 ofFIG. 43. Theweight retainer1122 includes arotating portion1210 and anon-rotating portion1220. The rotatingportion1210 includes atool engagement feature1211 configured to receive a tool so that the user can rotate therotating portion1210 relative to the golf club head. Theweight retainer1122 is configured to engage theweight receptacle1125 and lock to aweight mount1124 when the rotatingportion1210 is rotated in a first direction relative to thenon-rotating portion1220, and unlock when the rotatingportion1210 is rotated in a second direction.

When theweight retainer1122 is locked the rotatingportion1210 is forced towards thenon-rotating portion1220, engaging theweight receptacle1124 and locking theweight retainer1122 in place.

Theweight receptacle1122 is configured to at least partially reside in thecavity1189 between the first locking racking1181 and thesecond locking rail1182. At least a portion of thenon-rotating portion1220 resides on a golf club head side of the locking rails1181,1182 and at least a portion of the rotating-portion1210 resides on an exterior side of the locking rails1181,1182. Thenon-rotating portion1220 can include a pair ofslide walls1221 configured to slide along the locking

rails

1181,1182, and prevent thenon-rotating portion1220 from rotating within theweight receptacle1125.

Theweight retainer1122 is configured such that the rotatingportion1210 rotates 90 degrees relative to thenon-rotating portion1220 when transitioning from an unlocked position to a locked position. In other embodiments the weight retainer may require rotation between 100 degrees and 80 degrees. In another embodiment, the weight retainer may require rotation between 120 degrees and 60 degrees. In another embodiment, the weight retainer may require rotation between 140 degrees and 40 degrees. In another embodiment, the weight retainer may require rotation between 180 degrees and 10 degrees.

When theweight retainer1122 is in a locked position the rotatingportion1210 is configured to at least partially reside in the locking recesses1185 of theweight mount1124, and abut the lockingwalls1186 preventing theweight retainer1122 from sliding along theweight receptacle1125. The rotating-portion1210 can include a pair of recessedportions1212 configured to clear thethick portions1185 and the lockingwalls1186 of the weight receptacle when theweight retainer1122 is in an unlocked position and sliding along theweight receptacle1125.

Thenon-rotating portion1220 includes at least oneengagement feature1225 configured to interact with the rotatingportion1210 to force the rotatingportion1210 towards thenon-rotating portion1220 when the rotatingportion1210 is rotated in a first direction. Theengagement feature1225 can include a ramp as illustrated inFIGS. 44-47. Theengagement feature1225 can include an unlocked relief1222, atransition ramp1223, and alocking detent1224.

The rotatingportion1210 can be formed integrally or can include a plurality of pieces joined together to form the rotatingportion1210. As illustrated inFIGS. 46 and 47, the rotatingportion1210 can include afirst member1210A, asecond member1210B, and athird member1210C. The rotatingportion1210 can include at least onelocking feature1213 configured to engage theengagement feature1225 of thenon-rotating portion1220 and lock theweight retainer1122 to theweight mount1124. Thelocking feature1213 includes adeflectable arm1214 which can include aprotrusion1215.

Thelocking feature1213 is configured to engage the unlocked relief1222 when theweight retainer1122 is in an unlocked position. Thelocking feature1213 is configured to slide up thetransition ramp1223 as the rotatingportion1210 is rotated in a first direction relative to saidnon-rotating portion1220 until thedeflectable arm1214 locks into the locking detent1222 of theengagement feature1225. As thedeflectable arm1214 slides up thetransition ramp1223 it is deflected so as to force the rotatingportion1210 towards thenon-rotating portion1220. Once thedeflectable arm1214 is located in thelocking detent1224, the rotatingportion1210 and thenon-rotating portion1220 clamp against the locking

rails

1181,1182, and therotating portion1210 is lodged in thelocking recess1185 of theweight mount1124 until the user rotates therotating portion1210 in a second direction, releasing thedeflectable arm1214 from thelocking detent1224 and allowing theweight retainer1122 to slide along the weight receptacle to the preferredweight mount1124.

FIG. 48 illustrates a perspective view of an additional embodiment of aweight retainer2122.FIG. 49 illustrates a perspective view of the underside of theweight retainer2122 ofFIG. 48.FIG. 50 illustrates a perspective view of an additional embodiment of aweight receptacle2125.FIG. 51 illustrates a perspective view of the weight retainer ofFIG. 48 locked in the weight receptacle ofFIG. 50.FIG. 52 illustrates a top view of the weight retainer and weight receptacle ofFIG. 51.FIG. 53 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the weight retainer and weight receptacle ofFIG. 51.FIG. 54 illustrates an additional perspective view of the weight retainer and weight receptacle ofFIG. 51.

Theweight retainer2122 includes alocking feature2213 including adeflectable arm2214 which includes aprotrusion2215. Thelocking feature2213 is configured to engage theengagement feature2225 of theweight mount2124 of theweight receptacle2125 illustrated inFIGS. 50-54. Theengagement feature2225 can include anunlocked relief2222, atransition ramp2223 and alocking detent2224. As theweight retainer2122 is rotated relative to theweight receptacle2125, thelocking feature2122 is configured to enter theunlocked relief2222, ride up thetransition ramp2223, and into thelocking detent2224. This action will force theweight retainer2122 towards the golf club head and lock theweight retainer2122 in theweight mount2124 of theweight receptacle2125. Additionally, thelocking wall2186 of thelocking recess2185 of theweight mount2124 will prevent theweight retainer2122 from sliding along theweight receptacle2125.

FIG. 55 illustrates a perspective view of an additional embodiment of aweight retainer2122.FIG. 56 illustrates an end view of theweigh retainer2122 locked in an additional embodiment of aweight receptacle2125. This embodiment is similar to those illustrated inFIGS. 48-64, however the weight retainer includesprotrusions2215 extending outwards rather than upwards, configured to engagedetents2224 located in the sides of theweight receptacle2125. Rather than deflecting in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of theweight retainer2122, as in embodiments described earlier, thedeflectable arms2214 are configured to deflect in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of theweight retainer2122.

FIG. 57 illustrates a perspective view of an additional embodiment of aweight retainer2122.FIG. 58 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of an additional embodiment of aweight receptacle2125.FIG. 59 illustrates an end view of theweight retainer2122 ofFIG. 57 locked in theweight receptacle2125 ofFIG. 58. This embodiment is similar to those illustrated inFIGS. 55 and 56, however rather than havingprotrusions2215 extending outwards from thedeflectable arm2214, they extend inwards towards the rotation axis. Additionally, theweight receptacle2215 includes engagement features2225 separate from the locking rails and side walls of theweight receptacle2215. The weight receptacles includeramps2223 that are also inclined relative to the rotation axis of theweight retainer2122 such that the weight retainerdeflectable arms2214 bend towards the club head and away from the rotation axis of theweight retainer2122 as theweight retainer2122 is rotated in a first direction to lock theweight retainer2122 in place. The incline can help lock theweight retainer2122 in place. Also, theprotrusions2215 lock theweight retainer2122 in from rotation once they extend past the end of theengagement feature2225.

FIG. 60 illustrates a perspective view of an additional embodiment of agolf club head1110.FIG. 61 illustrates thegolf club head1110 ofFIG. 60 including aweight retainer1122 and aweight member3300.FIG. 62 illustrates a cross-sectional view of thegolf club head1110 ofFIG. 61.FIG. 63 illustrates a perspective view of theweight retainer1122 ofFIG. 61.FIG. 64 illustrates an additional perspective view of theweight retainer1122 ofFIG. 61.FIG. 65 illustrates a detail view of a portion of theweight receptacle1125 of thegolf club head1110 ofFIG. 60.FIG. 66 illustrates a perspective view of an additional embodiment of agolf club head1110.FIG. 67 illustrates a bottom view of thegolf club head1110 ofFIG. 66.

Theweight receptacles1125 ofFIGS. 60-62 and 65-67 are very similar to theweight receptacle1125 ofFIGS. 40-43 discussed earlier, with a few key differences. In an effort to increase the stiffness of the sole1112 of the golf club head, rather than having an open end to install theweight retainer1122, like theweight receptacles1125 ofFIGS. 40-43, theweight receptacles1125 ofFIGS. 60-62 and 65-67 do not include an open end, and instead include a weightreceptacle installation feature3000 configured to allow for the installation of theweight retainer1122. By closing both ends of theweight receptacle1125, the stiffness of theweight receptacle1125, and thus the sole1112 of thegolf club head1110 is increased, which can improve several golf club head characteristics which may include, for example, coefficient of restitution, acoustic properties, etc.

The weight receptacle1125 ofFIGS. 66 and 67 include a weightreceptacle installation feature3000. The weightreceptacle installation feature3000 includes recesses formed in both thefirst locking rail1181 and thesecond locking rail1182. The recesses are preferably formed in thethin portions1183 of the locking rails. Rather than installing theweight retainer1122 into theweight receptacle1125 in a direction substantially parallel to the direction theweight retainer1122 travels through theweight receptacle1125 during C.G. adjustment as inFIGS. 40-42, theweight retainer1122 is installed into theweight receptacle1125 ofFIGS. 66-67 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction theweight retainer1122 travels through theweight receptacle1125 during C.G. adjustment. The recesses of the weightreceptacle installation feature3000 allow theweight retainer1122 to slide into the weight receptacle and then slide along theweight receptacle1125 until it rests in theappropriate weight mount1124 and locks into place.

The weight receptacle1125 ofFIGS. 60-62 and 65 also includes a weightreceptacle installation feature3000. The weightreceptacle installation feature3000 includes recesses formed in only thefirst locking rail1181, not in both rails like inFIGS. 66 and 67. This embodiment makes the installation of the weight retainer1122 a bit trickier, but also reduces the chance of theweight retainer1122 from unintentionally leaving theweight receptacle1125. Rather than simply lowering theweight retainer1122 into theweight receptacle1125 through the weightreceptacle installation feature3000 as inFIGS. 66 and 67, the weightreceptacle installation feature3000 ofFIGS. 60-62 and 65 requires the weight retainer to be tilted and slid under thesecond rail1182 while a portion of theweight retainer1122 is still above thefirst locking rail1181, and then the portion of theweight retainer1122 above thefirst locking rail1181 is forced towards thegolf club head1110 and through the recess of the weightreceptacle installation feature3000. In order to remove theweight retainer1122 the process is reversed. As illustrated inFIGS. 60 and 61, the weightreceptacle installation feature3000 is located between two weight mounts1124 in order to minimize the chance of theweight retainer1122 from unintentionally leaving theweight receptacle1125. The only way to remove theweight retainer1122 is to position theweight retainer1122 adjacent the weightreceptacle installation feature3000 which is located between two weight mounts1124 and pull it out in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction theweight retainer1122 travels through theweight receptacle1125 during C.G. adjustment.

Theweight retainer1122 ofFIGS. 63 and 64 is very similar to theweight retainer1122 ofFIGS. 43-47 discuss earlier, with a few key differences. As described earlier, the weightreceptacle installation feature3000 is located between two weight mounts1124. Subsequently, a portion of thethick portion1184 of the locking

rail

1181,1182 can necessitate the recess of the weightreceptacle installation feature3000 to include acentral protrusion3010. Thus theweight retainer1122 can include one or more weight retainer installation features3100, which can be recesses as illustrated inFIGS. 63 and 64. The weight retainer installation features3100 are located and dimensioned to clear thecentral protrusions3010 of the weight receptacle installation features3000. The weight retainer installation features3100 can be formed in thenon-rotating portion1220 of the weight retainer.

An additional feature included in theweight receptacle1125 of thegolf club head1110 ofFIGS. 60-62, 66, and 67 is theweight port3200. Theweight port3200 is configured to receive and engage aweight member3300 as illustrated inFIGS. 61 and 62. Theweight port3200, as illustrated inFIGS. 60-62 can be located in theweight receptacle1125. More specifically, theweight port3200 can be formed in thefloor1190 of theweight receptacle1125 below the channel. Theweight port3200 allows for the installation ofdifferent weight members3300 depending on the preferred overall golf club head1100 mass and swing weight for the golf club. By having theweight port3200 in addition to theweight receptacle1125 andweight retainer1122, the mass of thegolf club head1110 can be adjusted without swapping theweight retainer1122. This allows the mass of theweight retainer1122 to remain consistent, and thus keeping the C.G. adjustments consistent. If you were to change the mass of theweight retainer1122, movements of theweight retainer1122 along theweight receptacle1125 would have different effects on the C.G. location of the golf club head. As illustrated inFIG. 62, theweight port3200 can include female threads configured to engage theweight member3300. Theweight member3300 can include male threads to engage theweight port3200 and lock theweight member3300 in place. In other embodiments, other methods of locking theweight member3300 in place can be used, including, but not limited to, the locking mechanisms described herein.

In an alternative embodiment, not illustrated, a portion of the weight receptacle can be interchangeable. There could be several versions of that portion of the weight receptacle, each having a different mass. By swapping out the portions of the weight receptacle, the mass of the golf club head could be adjusted. This portion of the weight receptacle could also capture the weight retainer, locking the weight retainer in the weight receptacle so that it cannot be removed without removing the portion of the weight receptacle. The portion of the weight receptacle can be affixed to the golf club head in a variety of ways which may include, for example, quarter-turn fasteners, threads, clips, in addition to any of the locking mechanisms described herein.

In describing the present technology herein, certain features that are described in the context of separate implementations also can be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation also can be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable sub combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub combination or variation of a sub combination.

Various modifications to the implementations described in this disclosure may be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other implementations without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the implementations shown herein, but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with this disclosure as well as the principle and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

The invention claimed is:

1. A golf club head, comprising:

a body having a face, a sole, a crown, and a skirt joining said face, sole, and crown;

a hollow golf club interior within said body;

said body having an exterior surface opposite said hollow golf club interior;

said body having a center of gravity;

wherein said body comprises an elongate weight receptacle;

a weight retainer located in said weight receptacle;

wherein said weight receptacle comprises a plurality of weight mounts;

wherein said weight retainer comprises a rotating portion and a non-rotating portion, said rotating portion rotatably affixed to said non-rotating portion;

wherein between 180 degrees and 10 degrees of rotation of said rotating portion in a first direction relative to said non-rotating portion locks said weight retainer, and wherein between 180 degrees and 10 degrees of rotation of said rotating portion in a second direction relative to said non-rotating portion unlocks said weight retainer; and

wherein said weight retainer is configured to slide along said weight receptacle between each of said plurality of weight mounts when said weight retainer is unlocked, and wherein said weight retainer is configured to reside in any of said plurality of weight mounts when said weight retainer is locked;

wherein said weight receptacle comprises a pair of locking rails running along each side of said weight receptacle and a channel formed between said locking rails;

wherein each of said plurality of weight mounts comprises a recess, and wherein said recess comprises a locking wall, wherein said pair of locking rails comprise thick portions and thin portions, said thin portions located adjacent said recesses, and wherein said locking walls are formed between said thin portions and said thick portions.

2. The golf club head ofclaim 1, wherein between 140 degrees and 40 degrees of rotation of said rotating portion in a first direction relative to said non-rotating portion locks said weight retainer, and wherein between 140 degrees and 40 degrees of rotation of said rotating portion in a second direction relative to said non-rotating portion unlocks said weight retainer.

3. The golf club head ofclaim 1, wherein between 120 degrees and 60 degrees of rotation of said rotating portion in a first direction relative to said non-rotating portion locks said weight retainer, and wherein between 140 degrees and 40 degrees of rotation of said rotating portion in a second direction relative to said non-rotating portion unlocks said weight retainer.

4. The golf club head ofclaim 1, wherein said weight retainer abuts said locking wall when said weight retainer is locked, restricting said weight retainer from sliding along said weight receptacle.

5. The golf club head ofclaim 1, wherein said non-rotating portion is configured to abut said weight receptacle, restricting said non-rotating portion from rotating relative to said weight receptacle.

6. A golf club head, comprising:

a hollow golf club interior within said body;

said body having an exterior surface opposite said hollow golf club interior;

said body having a center of gravity;

wherein said body comprises an elongate weight receptacle;

a weight retainer located in said weight receptacle;

wherein said weight receptacle comprises a plurality of weight mounts;

wherein said weight receptacle comprises a plurality of thick portions and a plurality of thin portions, said thick portions residing between each of said plurality of weight mounts;

wherein rotating said rotating portion in a first direction relative to said non-rotating portion locks said weight retainer, and wherein rotation of said rotating portion in a second direction relative to said non-rotating portion unlocks said weight retainer; and

wherein said weight retainer is configured to slide along said weight receptacle between each of said plurality of weight mounts when said weight retainer is unlocked, and wherein said weight retainer is configured to reside in any of said plurality of weight mounts when said weight retainer is locked.

7. The golf club head ofclaim 6, wherein said weight retainer abuts said thick portions when said weight retainer is locked, restricting said weight retainer from sliding along said weight receptacle.

8. The golf club head ofclaim 6, wherein said non-rotating portion is configured to abut said weight receptacle, restricting said non-rotating portion from rotating relative to said weight receptacle.

9. The golf club head ofclaim 6, wherein between 180 degrees and 10 degrees of rotation of said rotating portion in a first direction relative to said non-rotating portion locks said weight retainer, and wherein between 180 degrees and 10 degrees of rotation of said rotating portion in a second direction relative to said non-rotating portion unlocks said weight retainer.

10. A golf club head, comprising:

a hollow golf club interior within said body;

said body having an exterior surface opposite said hollow golf club interior;

said body having a center of gravity;

wherein said body comprises an elongate weight receptacle;

a weight retainer located in said weight receptacle;

wherein said weight receptacle comprises a plurality of weight mounts;

wherein each of said plurality of weight mounts comprises a recess, and wherein said recess comprises a locking wall; and

wherein said pair of locking rails comprise thick portions and thin portions, said thin portions located adjacent said recesses, and wherein said locking walls are formed between said thin portions and said thick portions.

11. The golf club head ofclaim 10, wherein between 180 degrees and 10 degrees of rotation of a portion of said weight retainer in a first direction relative to said weight receptacle locks said weight retainer, and wherein between 180 degrees and 10 degrees of rotation of said portion of said weight retainer in a second direction relative to said weight receptacle unlocks said weight retainer.

12. The golf club head ofclaim 11, wherein between 140 degrees and 40 degrees of rotation of said portion of said weight retainer in a first direction relative to said weight receptacle locks said weight retainer, and wherein between 180 degrees and 10 degrees of rotation of said portion of said weight retainer in a second direction relative to said weight receptacle unlocks said weight retainer.

13. The golf club head ofclaim 12, wherein between 120 degrees and 60 degrees of rotation of said portion of said weight retainer in a first direction relative to said weight receptacle locks said weight retainer, and wherein between 180 degrees and 10 degrees of rotation of said portion of said weight retainer in a second direction relative to said weight receptacle unlocks said weight retainer.

14. The golf club head ofclaim 10, wherein said weight retainer abuts said locking wall when said weight retainer is locked, restricting said weight retainer from sliding along said weight receptacle.

15. The golf club head ofclaim 10, wherein weight retainer comprises a non-rotating portion rotatably affixed to said portion of said weight retainer.

16. The golf club head ofclaim 15, wherein said non-rotating portion is configured to abut said weight receptacle, restricting said non-rotating portion from rotating relative to said weight receptacle.

17. The golf club head ofclaim 10, wherein said weight receptacle comprises a weight receptacle installation feature configured to receive said weight retainer, wherein said weight receptacle installation feature comprises voids formed in each of said pair of locking rails.